It was always going to be a difficult job replacing Lennie James for the second series of BBC2's acclaimed police drama, Line of Duty.

The BBC has announced no fewer than three new names for the return of Jed Mercurio's acclaimed drama – Keeley Hawes, Robert Lindsay and one of the stars of BBC1's Call The Midwife, Jessica Raine.

Hawes, a familiar BBC face from shows such as Ashes to Ashes, Spooks and the ill-fated return of Upstairs Downstairs, will play a detective inspector who is the only survivor after a police convoy is ambushed.

My Family star Robert Lindsay is the deputy chief constable who takes charge of the case, with Raine joining the team investigating police corruption, alongside first series stars Martin Compston and Vicky McClure. Adrian Dunbar will also return.

Produced by World Productions, Line of Duty was one of BBC2's big drama hits of last year with more than 3 million viewers.

James, who played ill-fated corrupt cop Tony Gates, starred in the first series alongside Gina McKee.

Surprisingly, perhaps, it missed out in the Bafta television awards announced last week.

Hawes said writer Mercurio had written an "epic journey" for her character.

The second series will run for six episodes, one longer than the first. Filming starts in Belfast later this month.

Mercurio said: "I was thrilled by the success of series one, and I'm hugely grateful for the opportunity to create another six hours of twists and turns as our returning investigators delve into a brand-new story of police corruption."

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